Powerball Lottery Winnings, Odds to Increase in 2009

The lottery is always extremely hard to win but so rewarding if one does win. That's why the lottery and Powerball have been so successful for so long, even if its players haven't been. But when 2009 begins, lottery and Powerball players will have a better shot to take home millions of dollars in one day, according to a news release from Powerball. They still may be long shots to win the lottery and Powerball, but they'll take whatever better shots they can get. For the 32 new states and one brand new states that plays the Powerball version of the lottery, Powerball is just a little bit easier to win at starting in 2009.

Instead of 55 white Powerball numbers, there will soon be 59 white numbers in the lottery draw. Instead of 42 red Powerball numbers, there will soon be 39 in the lottery draw. Florida will also be a new state that will play the Powerball lottery in 2009. Best of all, the jackpots and chances to win big in Powerball will go up just a little bit.

The starting jackpot in Powerball used to be $15 million dollars to begin a new round. Starting next year, the Powerball jackpot will start at $20 million. These new numbers slightly increase the chances of victory. Instead of a 1 in 37 shot at the beginning to win the Powerball lottery, the odds will start at 1 to 35.

A new bonus will also be introduced for Powerball winners. For those who played the Match 5 game in matching the first five numbers of Powerball, their winnings were $200,000 dollars even without drawing the Powerball. Starting next year, those who win the Match 5 will win $1 million dollars.

In addition, although Powerball tickets will remain at one dollar each, there will be a new Power Play option available for an extra dollar. With a win, the Power Play option can increase the players winnings up to five times, except for the match 5 and for if the player wins the jackpot.

This news comes the day after Powerball's latest drawing, in which the jackpot wasn't struck but three players in Connecticut, North Carolina and Pennsylvania won $800,000 in the Power Play and seven others around the country won $200,000. The jackpot is now $35 million.